Pat Tillman Chopper Raffle Honors Hero

Our resident road warrior has earned his stripes covering the rally circuit, from riding the Black Hills of Sturgis to cruising Main Street in Daytona Beach. Whether it's chopped, bobbed, or bored, metric to 'Merican, he rides 'em all.

Two Tempe, AZ companies, Sandbox Creative and Evolution Custom Cycles, are working together to create a custom chopper with an estimated value of $85,000 in honor of fallen American hero Pat Tillman that will be raffled off to benefit the foundation in his name.

A one-off custom bike is being built in honor of fallen American hero Pat Tillman which will be raffled off to benefit the foundation created in his honor. Two Tempe, AZ companies, Sandbox Creative and Evolution Custom Cycles, are working together to create a custom chopper with an estimated value of $85,000. Proceeds from the innovative fundraiser will go to the Pat Tillman Foundation. Raffle tickets cost $20 each and will be available from February to September, 2008.

“We feel it is an honor and privilege to help support the Pat Tillman Foundation through this charity opportunity,” say Robert Shinn and Tim Butzow, owners of Evolution Custom Cycles. “Pat’s private life and military dedication are models to be admired by all people young and old. Building this commemorative chopper will allow us in a small way to recognize Pat’s life and to help the lives of future young people that will benefit from the foundation’s work.”

Tillman was thrust into the national spotlight first when he walked away from a lucrative NFL career to join the Army along with his brother in the wake of the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Pat and younger brother Kevin joined the U.S. Army in July of 2002, committing to a three-year term. They served tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In the evening of April 22nd, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of Eastern Afghanistan. His heroic efforts to provide cover for his fellow soldiers as they escaped from the canyon led to his tragic death by friendly fire. The government’s attempt to cover up the fact that he was a victim of fratricide again put Tillman’s name in the headlines.

The Pat Tillman Foundation was created by Pat’s family and friends following his death in April 2004. As a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, the Foundation’s goal and mission is to carry forward Pat’s legacy by inspiring people to make positive changes in themselves and in the world around them.

The Foundation supports the ‘Leadership Though Action’ flagship program in Arizona, where Tillman excelled as a student-athlete at Arizona State University and as a fan favorite with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals. The program seeks to inspire and support students as they develop leadership skills and tackle real-world problems. The ‘Tillman Scholars,’ as the students are referred to, learn to identify and evaluate social problems and work on providing potential solutions to those problems through the implementation of a student-designed program aimed at achieving a positive resolution.

Motorcyclists can step up to the plate and support the effort because even if you don’t win the bike, the money is going to a great cause. But for the one lucky winner, here’s a quick look at the features of the one-of-a-kind Tillman Chopper.